Auckland to Noumea fleet away.

by Dave Worsley on 20 May 2001 The 2001 Aircalin Auckland to Noumea Yacht Race left the 'City of Sails' in perfect conditions for a fast start with
wind gusts at around 25 knots and bright sunlight on the Waitemata harbour.

Antaeus skippered by Charles St Clair Brown gained a good jump at the start along with Elliott Marine. As the
yachts approached North Head on Auckland's North Shore the Noumea catamaran, Rogntudjuuu literally blasted its
way through the fleet with the wind at its back eventually stretching to a significant lead by Rangitoto Island.

Tauranga boat, Paladin Steel was in the middle of the fleet and included Trans-Atlantic rower, Steve Westlake who is
aiming to get his 'sealegs' by taking part in the race. Westlake is the current New Zealand single sculls rowing
champion.

Another Trans-Atlantic rower, Steph Brown was sailing on Bushido II.

The race has been reinstated after an absence of seven years with the first monohull yacht aiming to break 96 hours
to win $10,000. Allowing for wea ther conditions this time could easily broken.

A total of 14 yachts started the race with high expectations for Antaeus, Elliott Marine and Ondine VII. The three
New Caledonia boats; Internautic, skippered by Thierry Causer, Rogntudjuuu with Philippe Coste at the helm and
Noumea which was formerly well known New Zealand boat Route 66 are facing pressure to finish in the top placings
from their home yacht club Cercle Nautique Caledonian in Noumea.

Noumea skippered by Jean Luc Esplaas was third on handicap in the Sydney to Hobart race in 1998 and although
one of the smaller craft in the fleet has plenty of experience on board and a determined skipper.